Reviving the heritage of the Bosnian Arabian horse
The Bosnian Arabian Horse Stud Farm was established in 2020 with a clear vision – the preservation, development, and reestablishment of a unique horse breed that originated in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The founders, Adnan Delić and Nermina Spahija, recognised the serious endangerment of this noble breed, whose population had been steadily declining, and decided to take concrete steps to prevent its extinction.
The Bosnian Arabian Horse Stud Farm
As the first officially registered breeding stud farm in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the war, dedicated exclusively to the breeding of the Bosnian Arabian horse, the stud represents the foundation of the modern revival of this breed. A unique breeding complex has been established where systematic work is carried out on the selection, development, and promotion of these horses.
The stud farm covers 80,000 square metres — 8 hectares — in the heart of central Bosnia. Surrounded by untouched nature, forests, rich grazing lands, and natural water sources, it gives the horses freedom of movement, proper development, and a high level of welfare — an ideal environment in which they can live in harmony with their nature.
Parallel with the development of the stud, the Association of Breeders and Enthusiasts of the Bosnian Arabian Horse (UUBAK) was established, bringing together all relevant breeders across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through joint efforts, a population of approximately 110 horses has been formed. All horses bred at the stud carry the breeding prefix “El Bosna”, clearly indicating their origin and breeding standard.
Over the years of dedicated work, significant results have been achieved: the breed standard has been defined, its presence has been revived, and connections and cooperation have been established with renowned Arabian horse studs and experts beyond the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Special emphasis has been placed on a scientific approach to breeding, including genetic (DNA) research, professional analyses, and the continuous improvement of breeding methods.
The long-term goal of the Bosnian Arabian Horse Stud Farm and UUBAK is to increase the population to a level at which the breed can be considered stable, ensuring the preservation of its genetic diversity and sustainable development in the future.
2020
Year the stud was founded
8 ha
Size of the breeding complex
~110
Horses in the UUBAK population
El Bosna
Breeding prefix of the stud
The people behind the stud
The stud is led by people bound by the same commitment — knowledge, passion, and responsibility towards heritage.
Adnan Delić
President of UUBAK · Founder of the stud farm
Adnan Delić spent his whole life surrounded by horses. When he realised how close the Bosnian Arabian horse was to extinction, he founded UUBAK and the stud farm — with a vision of preservation, education, and international recognition of the breed.
Nermina Spahija
Co-founder · Veterinarian
A doctor of veterinary medicine with many years of experience in equine care. She oversees the health and well-being of every horse at the stud, as well as its treatment and rehabilitation programme.
The entire organised breeding of the Bosnian Arabian horse in Bosnia and Herzegovina is today conducted through UUBAK, which brings together breeders, experts, and enthusiasts of the breed across the country.
A step into the world family of Arabian horses
January 2026 will be remembered as one of the most important moments in the modern history of the Bosnian Arabian horse — UUBAK became an affiliated member of the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO).
WAHO is a global body based in the United Kingdom that brings together 91 member countries and sets the standards for Arabian horse breeding worldwide. This recognition confirmed the quality of the work achieved so far — our studbooks, our registration methods, and our dedicated breeding.
With it, the Bosnian Arabian horse takes its place within the wider global family of Arabian horses, and the door opens to further international affirmation.
We preserve heritage and build the future
Guided by passion, knowledge, and responsibility towards heritage, we remain fully committed to the mission of preserving one of the most valuable horse breeds in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Preservation
Every horse in our stud farm carries genetic material stretching back more than a century. We preserve it for the generations to come.
Science
Our breeding is built on a scientific approach — genetic (DNA) research, professional analysis, and the continuous improvement of breeding methods.
Recognition
WAHO membership is only the beginning. The goal is full international recognition of the Bosnian Arabian horse as a distinct breed.